ABFI urges caution after Scottish court's decision on minimum unit pricing for alcohol
The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) has warned that price is “not a silver bullet for tackling alcohol misuse”.
Reacting to today’s decision by the Court of Session in Scotland today clearing the way for minimum unit pricing, director of ABFI Ross Mac Mathúna said: “In December the European Court of Justice (ECJ) held that Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) is not precluded by EU law if it is considered to be an appropriate and proportionate public health response which cannot be achieved by other measures.
“However, ultimately the final test on whether or not MUP meets this condition rests with national courts in EU member states.
“We now need time to study the verdict of the Court of Session who have backed the introduction of MUP.
“We ask the Government to reflect on today’s decision carefully before similar measures are introduced in this country.
We maintain that a ban on below cost selling which would ensure that alcohol is not sold as a loss leader is an appropriate public health response to the sale of cheap alcohol.
Given that we already pay the highest price and amongst the highest taxes in the EU for alcohol, it’s evident that price is not a silver bullet for tackling alcohol misuse.
We remain committed to working with Government and other stakeholders in order to address the issue of harmful alcohol use.”
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) welcomed today’s decision, calling it "a positive step in curbing the irresponsible sale of cheap alcohol".
Campaigners in Ireland have welcomed the decision by Scottish judges to reject an appeal against minimum unit pricing.
The appeal, brought by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), was dismissed at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, with judges saying the grounds submitted "were not well founded''.
The SWA is now considering whether to now take its legal challenge to the UK’s Supreme Court.
Alcohol Action Ireland welcomed the ruling, and called for minimum unit pricing (MUP) implemented in Scotland as soon as possible.
It described it as “a positive ruling for public health in Ireland”, as MUP is one of the measures contained in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, which is due to return to the Seanad next Wednesday.
Other measures in the Bill address the health labelling of alcohol, as well as seeking to protect children from exposure to alcohol marketing.
A recent price survey conducted by Alcohol Action Ireland claimed that by buying the cheapest alcohol available in supermarkets, a man can reach his low-risk weekly limit of 17 standard drinks for just €7.65 and a woman can reach her low-risk weekly limit of 11 standard drinks for just €4.95.
Dr Peter Bennie, chair of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said: "Today's verdict must mark an end to the delays and minimum unit pricing must now be implemented as a matter of urgency.
"Every year that has been lost to the alcohol industry's delaying tactics has brought with it a human cost in lives lost and health damaged.
"The alcohol industry needs to accept today's judgement and stop attempting to put their own agenda ahead of the public interest."
